NASA and SpaceX Launch Astronauts to Space today

The Falcon 9, the first manned space flight to leave US soil in nine years, is set for blast off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 21.33 BST (16:33 ET) this evening, The Daily Mail reports.

Elon Musk's SpaceX is running the historic launch, which will be the first time a private company has put astronauts into space.

The Met Office has forecast clear skies for this evening, meaning the Falcon's ascent should be visible across the country.

Local weather conditions for the historic flight, which will carry astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, are expected to be 60 per cent favourable ahead of the launch, which will take place at 4.33pm Eastern Time.

A thick cloud was hovering over Cape Canaveral Tuesday morning, but this is expected to shift in time for launch.

NASA manager Kathy Lueders said: 'We're burning down the final paper. All teams are a go, and we're continuing to progress toward our mission.

'I'm very proud of the team. We are continuing to be vigilant and careful, and make sure we do this right.'

Preflight checks on the rocket, its support and chilled water radiator were taking place yesterday.

The SpaceX demo-2 mission will see the Falcon 9 rocket and attached Crew Dragon capsule shoot into space as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which sees the agency partner with private companies.

If successful, it will pave the way for future commercial partnerships and a new age of space travel.
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aymrnzianf0&fbclid=IwAR0rHdXalRQ0aMzQ5sPW8b8wOMJqZQxC01RPyUoFZYLWgUYmgJyCSdh-wtI